Eat Love Run

Day 8 - Running for Cystic Fibrosis NZ #30DaysofMe

The challenge for day 8 is to write about short term goals for this month. The major goal I have for October is to turn up my training for the Auckland Half Marathon on October 31. The goal I have running (pun intended) in conjunction is to raise $1000 for the Cystic Fibrosis NZ grant Breath4CF. If you want to know why I got interested in Breath4CF, it all started with a book. The long and short of it is that CF is New Zealand's most common life threatening inherited disease. With compromised lung function, people with CF live on average to be 30. The Breath4CF grant helps people with CF access life preserving physical activity. With the high cost of frequent medical treatments, the cost of everyday activities like swim lessons, horseback riding lessons, or even the purchase of a trampoline is sometimes difficult for the parents of CF children. Breath4CF makes sure that no child is without the physical activity they so desperately need. It breaks my heart that not only would a child be deprived of being part of a sports team or club because life can already be financially difficult with the cost of nebulizers, enzymes and other meds, but that a parent is faced with the harsh reality that they will outlive their child, that's not the way its suppose to be.

On October 31 I will be running for those with CF who cannot, and for those who have lost their battle with CF. If one more person learns about this terrible illness, donates one more dollar or volunteers their time to CFNZ then that is something.

I will be running an online auction that will hopefully help me to partly reach my goal. So far I have had donations from Natureshop, bebabo, Floozy, Vodafone NZ and phil & teds. If you are interested in supplying an item for auction, please do not hesitate to get in touch. If you are interested in finding out more on what you can bid on, also feel free to get in touch via email (ghada at realsocialgirl dot com) or friend me on Facebook to stay up to date.

The second part to my goal is to run an improved half marathon from my last one in Hanmer on May 1 of this year. That of course entails being better prepared than I was for Hanmer. One thing I would like to do is a practice run of the first part of the half on the North Shore. I have already mapped out the first 16K of the race on Runkeeper and am hoping to run it sometime over the next 2 weeks on a Saturday or Sunday for my long run. I'm halfway through my 12 week training and feeling pretty good about my progress. I've definitely been really pushing my hill runs and so am not concerned about the rolling hills and ascent over the Harbour Bridge. I've also been working on my running form and doing alot of stretching. I've been a bit more plagued with colds, tummy bugs and bouts of insomnia, so I am still finding it hard to keep up with my strength training. Its my goal to get at least 2 strength training activities a week in until D day. Its been the first thing to go from my regime when I've been a little under the weather, so its time to pick it up again.

I hope that by sharing these goals, you will join in with motivating me (please!) and the biggest help you can be is to make a donation through my Fundraise Online page.

Day 7 Being a Mother and a Wife - #30DaysofMe

The challenge for day 7 is to share a picture of someone/something that has the biggest impact on you. Below is a photo of my boys. I stalled on the whole challenge at this post, mainly because I find it so hard to put into words everything that they have given me. I hope to write and get through this challenge a bit easier from now on :-D

My husband and my son have changed my life in so many ways. My perspective on enjoying life and how I view the world has definitely changed. Through knowing and loving both of them, I am challenging the meaning of love and compatibility as well as motherhood.

I've discussed with many a girl friend how much compromise is required to maintain a healthy relationship with a partner. Compromise? Yes, compromise. I'm not talking about being in a relationship with the intention of changing a person, I don't believe in that. I'm talking about accepting your partners quirks and ways of doing things, and merging this into your own quirks and funny ways of doing things. In the past, I always measured compatibility by how much baggage my potential life partner was bringing to the party. My rule of thumb is that each person in a relationship should start out with an equal amount. No point in hooking up with someone who is only going to drag you down, you need someone to pull you up and grow with you. That's what I have in Chris. We're both creative individuals, geeks, lovers of travel and goofballs. Its not to say that we are the same people or that we have become one person over time. But we do compliment each other and teach each other new things. I know I have my crazy little ways that he just doesn't get, as he does his. This quote is a good way of explaining it...

You don't marry someone you can live with, you marry the person who you cannot live without.

Now, my son. How do I explain what he has done for me. He is this little person that is always there, soaking in the best (and sometimes not the best!) traits of me and his dad. All the while he brings a smile to my face. The greatest impact he has made on me is to bring me outside myself. Not that I have ever been a self-centered person, but by having Master P, I have made sacrifices and changes to my life that I never would have if not for him. Becoming a mother definitely takes a period of adjustment, but as P is growing, so does my love and the inherent way I live for considering the person I want to be that he can be proud of in the future. The sacrifices don't feel so much of a sacrifice these days...just more of who I am meant to be in this world.

One woman will brag about her children, while another complains about hers; they could probably swap children without swapping tunes.

Day 6 - Super Robot Martian Girl #30DaysofMe

The challenge for Day 6 is to name your favorite super hero and why
Like others on the challenge, I can't say I've ever had a favorite super hero. So, I'm going to twist this a little to mention the superhero that I would most like to be - Super Robot Martian Girl!

I've recently had the privilege of being introduced to this spunky girl through children's TV show Yo Gabba Gabba. She's great! The traits I most like about her are:
1. She's there for friends in need
2. She always has a solution when everyone around her is wingeing and looking for problems
3. She rocks the color green - I'd like to have more green in my wardrobe
4. Music and/or dancing seems to be at the heart of how she solves alot of the problems around her

Check out a Super Martian Robot Girl vignette below or to see one of my personal faves visit Jezebel as they have a clear video embedded into the site.

Day 5 - Oistins Fish Fry, Barbados #30DaysofMe

The challenge for day 5 is to post a picture of somewhere you've been.

Once again, I've got loads of beautiful pictures of my travels in Barcelona, San Sebastian and Cinque Terre, but those photos are on discs and servers that I need to look through and organize and even print some.

So as with the last picture challenge, I've headed over to Bookface and had a look through albums and photos I am tagged in. Unfortunately, not much in terms of great landscape photos. This photo is nothing to write home about, with the cheesy French Coca Cola sign and the punters getting drunk in the background, but there is a story behind it.

This is my husband Chris and I returning to the scene of the crime of where we got engaged. In 2003, as we were on our way back to New Zealand after living in Canada for 2 years, we decided to pool our Airpoints and visit Barbados. It was Chris' idea, he was keen to see where my parents were from. I hadn't been to Barbados since I was 3 and was myself curious about my motherland. It was a fantastic trip - laid back, sun, beaches and music. It was going so well that Chris thought to himself, I could marry this girl. He wasn't prepared with a ring, so he got me an amethyst token ring from a street vendor and decided he would propose at the weekly ever popular and ever raucous Oistins Fish Fry. Oistins is a beach in the South end of Barbados. Every friday night their is a gigantic outdoor fish fry up with music blaring from speakers, people dancing in the street and on the beach as well as drinking the local Banks Beer.
Fast forward to 2005 and we return to Barbados for the wedding. Its the Friday night before the wedding and we of course go to Oistins.

And because I want you to understand the magnitutude of this weekly street party, I'm gonna cheat and add a second picture I found on the net. Gotta love the West Indies :D

[UPDATE] Jelly Babies on the #run

Please to report that the jelly babies were a complete success. My long run on Monday was a hilly one, with a few steep hills. It helped when I thought I couldn't do it anymore to just pop a jelly baby. I think it may have been somewhat psychological, but what the hey! I'll need all the help I can get when I'm trying to blast through 22Ks in just a little over 2 and a half hours. Their was of course some sugar in those puppies that probably did kick into my bloodstream, but I can't really imagine that they "helped" my run as such.

I'm keen to share more running fuel tips, also keen to hear how you fuel up for your runs.

Here's the Runkeeper map from Mondays' run. I broke all kinds of records - from highest total elevation climbed to most calories burnt in a week (and yes, I did it all in one run - that's why I love hills!)

Day 4 - This One's a Nailbiter #30DaysofMe

Photo from Uluen on flickr

So day 4 is simple, write about a habit I wish I didn't have. I'm pretty good in finding faults in myself (this is a bad habit in itself) but I'll stick to the one....I wish I didn't bite my nails. Its a gross and disgusting habit. Every time I do it, I berate myself for it, but I just can't stop. Every time I see someone (women only) with lovely long nails, I wish I had them. I've probably only had proper long nails once or twice in my entire life. When they do grow out I find it hard to take care of them, so they end up getting chips in them and that's when I'm tempted to chomp.
I imagine if I didn't spend endless hours click-clacking away on a computer I would probably be less at risk for chipping them, thus starting the terrible cycle of nail biting. In any case, I ask you to please not judge me for my grossness. Cause I know that when I see others biting their nails I think eeeew!

Day 3 - A Picture of Me and My Friends #30DaysofMe

Today's challenge is exactly what the title says.

I've moved around a bit in the last 10 years and I have photos and albums stashed at my parent's house in Canada from my school and University days. I've also changed laptops a few times, so I have alot of photos on disc. I was dreading having to trawl through the discs, but thanks to Facebook I was able to choose from the bazillion photos others have tagged me in.

This photos is from my birthday last year (July 2009). My husband Chris, Master P and I flew into LA and spent a couple of days there to adjust to the time change. We then flew into Montreal where my parents live. To my complete surprise, my sister organized a surprise birthday party in my honor on the eve of my actual birthday and my second day in Montreal. Thankfully I wasn't jetlagged anymore.

I love this picture because most of my oldest and dearest friends are in it. I have known Leah (holding the little cutie with blue top) since before we even started Kindy, the connection was formed through our older sisters who knew each other first. It was also the first time I met the little cutie in blue.

My cousins that I have not seen in a long time are also in the picture - so that was nice to see them too. Their are also high school friends in the picture that were my bestest buddies through what was probably one of the most akward times in my life. Though we are continents apart, when I do meet up with them its as if time has not passed. We did everything together from getting into clubs with fake ID, lining up for autographs from Bros, losing our minds over NKOTB, dating guys and getting our hearts broken, getting tattoos and belly rings....gawd, the things we got up too.

Behind the lens is my older and only sister Sharon. I think the composition of her photos are fantastic, and this is a perfect example. The only person who was there on the day that is missing is my mother. Typical of her she didn't want to be in the picture. She's a bit ridiculous as mothers can be. I hate pictures, but I'll always pose for one if someone asks, but my mother on the other hand will literately run and hide.

The funny thing about my birthday is that it is also my parent's wedding aniversary. They were married in '69 and I was born 7 years later on the same date. Every year they manage to be part of making my birthday special even if it means spending time with my friends doing things that I like. Its pretty awesome that on this day it was their 30 year anniversary and my Dad was more concerned with manning the BBQ while my Mom organized the salads.

Day 2 - What's in a Name #30DaysofMe

This is my current dream running shoe :)

So today's post is about the meaning of my blog name.

I've blogged in one form or another for the past 7 years. I've written about Flash technology as New Zealand's first Macromedia usergroup manager and conference organizer, I've blogged (and still do) about social media and the all important mother group of consumers, I've also blogged about being a mother and have reviewed products for mum and bubs.
At the end 2009 I decided that I wanted to get back to how I used to blog. That is to say, a blog for me - not for any brand, but more to share my thoughts and ideas on whatever came to mind and what I feel passionate about. I basically sat down with a piece of paper and started scribbling what was important to me. I ended up with 3 words that rock my world - eating, loving and running, which I of course shortened to EatLoveRun. I know the premise of the book Eat Pray Love, but I haven't read it. I suppose subconsciously I may have been thinking about the book, consciously I just wanted potential readers to know exactly what I would be writing about.

I like to think of myself as a giving person. In fact, I know I am a giving person. Sometimes, I give til I have no more to give for anyone, including myself. That is something that I am working on - ultimately I want to live a fulfilling and loving life without compromising who I am or being a try hard. At the end of the day, if I am being pulled in too many directions, its no good to anyone. By chronicling my running and other personal stuff about myself I hope that I can grow up to be the person I think I can be.

Phew, anyways, back to it. I'm a simple person who loves to eat and I am not willing to count calories nor most definitely cut out chocolate (though I'm working on eating less of it) for the sake of staying thin. I am a tall woman with a strong build by nature. I keep sane and my weight down by running, which I rediscovered this time last year. After not liking myself much for making up excuses as to why I was pilling on the pounds - post baby fat is not an excuse when said baby is 2, I decided to start the Couch to 5K program. I went from running in 2 minute intervals to now training for my second ever half marathon in one year. On the looooove side of things, I love cuddles, hugs and especially laughing with people. Spreading love is so much more fun that hate or any other stinky emotion.

There you have it.

Jelly Babies on the #Run

Photo from fishyfish_arcade on Flickr

Its been a heck of a week with THE earthquake that blew through Christchurch last Sunday morning just after 4:30 AM. I am not even in Christchurch anymore, newly replanted into Auckland (and loving it!) but I was still deeply emotional about the country's second biggest city, the architecture, the people and the continuing aftershocks that put so many of my friends and family on edge.

I had a very slooooow week of training. I think I had post traumatic disorder from association. A by product of consuming too much information about the quake - reading tweets, watching the news, talking to people via Facebook, on the phone and via email. I heard alot of hurt, suffering and anxiety during the week and it was draining feeling like I was not able to help. I felt very tired all week. One morning I heard my alarm go off and I just couldn't get out of bed, so I rolled over and dozed back to sleep instead of getting up for what would have been an easy 8K run. On another day my alarm never went off. Yes, that's right I was down 2 runs last week, that on top of the fact that I'd already decided to cut back on my strength training to give my body a rest. So all in all not a hot shot week of training.

Tomorrow is Monday and after such a fabulous day of resting, unpacking (still) and hanging out with my boys I feel much better about the coming week. I am hearing good reports from friends and family in Christchurch. Yes, of course its not as if someone snapped their fingers and the city is back to "normal" but at least people's spirits seem to be lightening and friends who were having trouble sleeping through the night and the tremors are starting to settle. So, yeah Christchurch - hang in there.

Tomorrow I am doing last week's long run (14km) and I am going to try out something different for my mid run nutrition...Jelly Babies! I was having a hard time finding Leppin at all my local supermarkets, so I decided I needed something easy that I could find on the shelf of any shop. I've heard plenty of people sing the praises of Gummy Bears when running, so I thought why not give it a go. Funnily enough I found some Leppin today without even venturing into a running shop, so I am going to bring 2 Leppins and a handful of Jelly Babies on the run. I'm likely to be out there just under 2 hours, so I'll definitely benefit from 2 Leppins, the Jelly Babies will just be an extra kick.

The one thing I have been doing well this week is keeping hydrated. So with an early night I'm hoping the 5AM wake up followed by the 14K run won't be too much of a challenge even though I've just had a mini fitness hiatus. I'll keep you posted.

In the meantime, please check out my Fundraising page on FundraiseOnline to make a donation to Breath4CF which is the charity I am running the Auckland Half Marathon on behalf of.

Day 1 - 15 Interesting Facts About Me #30DaysOfMe

1. I had a bit role on Xena while I was in New Zealand on my one year OE after finishing a Bachelor of Education at McGill University in Montreal, Canada. I was offered a bonus to massage Xena in one of the scenes, but when I showed up that day to film the "massage" scene, the director figured out I was too tall to fit into the scene the way they had imagined it. They still paid me the bonus and I appeared in one scene. Look for me just after the 3:30 mark.

2. I danced and sang on a table with Max-a-Million at Annie’s (McGills’ local University pub). I believe lots of shots and beer were involved.

3. I won a Ms Coquito “pageant” in Cuba. Prizes included a glass bottom boat with an all you can drink and eat, snorkeling and a boat party

4. I got my PADI diving license when my son was 5 months…quite difficult to zip up a wetsuit with engorged boobies.

5. I am originally from Montreal, Canada. Yes, I speak French but I don't get the opportunity to speak it much these days in New Zealand.

6. Both of my parents are from Barbados but met in Montreal where I was born.

7. I met my Kiwi husband in a Kebab shop in Auckland and married him in Barbados.

8. I escaped being named “Nadia” after Nadia Comaneci was splashed all over the Montreal Gazette for being the first ever gymnast to score a perfect 10 at the Montreal Olympics the day before I was born.

9. I was named Ghada after a young girl who was shot in a sniper attack in Lebanon. My mother read the story in the Montreal Gazette.

10. I am not a real girly girl, but love to feel girly when I run, so I run in running skirts.

11. I would love to shave all my hair off but I am scared of how naked it will make me feel...I think about doing it at least once a week at the moment.

12. My middle name is Veronica and for about a week in high school I tried to get people to call me Ronnie, it never took as a nickname. I hoped it would as I hated the cruel (or so I thought at the time, but more silly now looking back) nicknames like "Gandhi" "Gotta Go" and "Gotta have it".

13. I used to sleep walk when I was a child. One night I sleep walked right to the front door of my family house and tried to unlock the door. My Dad pulled a baseball bat on me, he was ready to take me out thinking I was a burglar. I woke up to my Dad holding a bat and my mom looking very scared.

14. I used to play rugby, I was a lock. The most inspiring game I played was on the historic Plains of Abraham in Quebec City.

15. They say everybody has 4-5 careers in a lifetime. I've been a teacher, I've been a public servant and worked in marketing. I'd like to think that one day I might be able to be a singer, even if its just as a weekend part-time gig.